‘Sayonara nukes’: Thousands protest ahead of Fukushima anniversary

Opposition to the use of nuclear power in Japan remains strong. Pic: AP.

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TOKYO (AP) — Banging on drums and waving “Sayonara nukes” signs, thousands of people rallied in a Tokyo park and marched to Parliament to demand an end to nuclear power ahead of the third anniversary of the Fukushima disaster.

The demonstration Sunday, planned across cities in Japan, is one of many such protests that have erupted since the March 11, 2011, nuclear disaster, the worst since Chernobyl.

The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed interest in restarting some of the 48 idled reactors across Japan. Oil imports have soared since the disaster, and that has hurt the economy.

Many in Japan say they have lost trust in the government, don’t believe nuclear power is safe and are worried about the health effects of radiation, especially on children.